Istanbul

To celebrate the end of the War of Independence, the Turks hold extravagent parades across the city streets

The world's only marathon that begins in Asia and ends in Europe offers a unique experience for adventurous runners

The holiday celebrates the beginning of the Turkish Republic and its future, embodied by the country's lively energetic youth

Spring delicacies of Istanbul prove that the human body can get used to anything—food adventurers will rejoice here.

Millions of flowers in Istanbul's valleys are proof that Turkey is the real world capital of tulips

Want to feel like Sultan Süleyman or his beloved Hürrem? Centuries-old hamams and professional masseurs and masseuses do miracles

Mouth-watering fish sandwiches are traditionally made of mackerel, grilled, and served right on the boat

Spinning prayers pave their way to the divine and pass on newly established spiritual treasures to spectators

Riding in a horse-drawn carriage among 19th-century mansions encased with splendid greenery makes for a peaceful weekend

It is not a good idea to cheer 'away' teams playing in Istanbul,—Turkish Süper Lig is both exciting and safe to watch

Don't get scared if you hear a street vendor crying out "Booozaaa!"—this tradition, as well as the recipe, has survived since the Ottoman Empire!

The abundance of Turkish sweets, illuminated mosques, and traditional puppet plays highlight the end of Ramadan

For one day a year, kids are allowed to sit in parliament and rule the Turkish Republic

Istanbul is truly the city of pomegranate delight.

The community rejoices, celebrating the birthday of their country through parades and torchlight processions.

The attractive, reddish, crispy skin of fried Barbunya covers this incredibly palatable and delicate meat

Sucuk, pastirma, börek, kuzu tandır, hünkar beğendi, mantı, güllaç, şerbet, ayran—the list of Ramadan dishes goes on and on

It began in 1982 as a Film Week, the following year it grew wider to Istanbul Filmdays, and 1989 brought it world-wide recognition and its modern title

On the tenth day of Muharram, every Turkish household is preoccupied with cooking Aşure,—imitating the dish the very Noah once cooked in his ark at the Mount of Ararat

Swimming from one continent to another—sounds challenging but it's totally a real accomplishment

A hot drink made from milk and wild orchids' roots powder is hard to find outside of Turkey

Glorified throughout history, the shy but graceful Judas trees adorn the city of Istanbul

Ezan, or call to prayer, takes on great dimensions when the chants of the Blue Mosque alternate with those of the Hagia Sophia

The fights between uneducated yet witty Karagoz and literate Hacivat used to make even the very Sultan laugh

Small, tart "erik" is a real passion of Istanbulites, who eat them raw and add them to soups, stews, sauces, and salads

This gem of Byzantine architecture was once a Christian basilica, later an imperial mosque, and today is the most outstanding museum in Istanbul and a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Join over 30,000 people at one of the world's biggest coffee festivals

If you think there's nothing to do in Istanbul on New Year's Eve, let us prove you wrong!

For over two weeks in fall, Turkish and international jazz will ring throughout Istanbul